Quote Analysis

This words are said by Miss Maudie to Scout at Chapter 5 Page 46 of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Miss Maudie tells the girl the story of Arthur Radley explaining who he doesn’t want to leave his house anymore. She says that Mr. Radley, Arthur’s father was a member of a very strict and secluded Baptist community who considered a sin everything that can bring pleasure, joy and happiness. Once he even wished Miss Maudie to burn in Hell with her flowers, because she spends too much time outside growing them and too little time in the house reading the Bible. Such an attitude traumatized young Arthur deeply. Punished for every joy he could get from the world outside the house, he estranged himself from anything and anyone voluntarily closing himself in the house for a very long time.

Miss Maudie says that quote to Scout, taking her father as an example. Scout angrily says that her father never gets drunk, but Miss Maudie explains that even if he did, he would be much kinder and more reasonable than perfectly sober but extremely zealous and self-righteous Mr. Radley.